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We are certainly passing through a very difficult time at Marathon Youth Services. As you may already know, we tragically lost one of our staff members to a traffic accident on July 19^th. Danielle Cofer-Santiago was much loved and respected by the entire staff of MYS, as well as the boys at Reynolds Group Home. Danielle initially joined our staff almost seven years ago while still a student, filling the role of Youth Worker at Wings Group Home. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Human Services in 2003, she joined the staff of North Central Health Care where she became a case manager for developmentally disabled adults. However, Danielle’s interest and enthusiasm for the boys at RGH never flagged, and she continued with us on a part time basis, providing services to the guys and helping guide them through some difficult times. She had just helped our newest resident through his placement only three days before her accident. He, and others, will long remember Danielle as a warm, caring and supportive person.

We all loved you Danielle, and will forever treasure your memory and time with us. The words of Danielle’s supervisor at RGH help express how she will be remembered:

We at Reynolds Group Home are working very hard to recover from the loss of our special friend and colleague, Danielle Santiago. Danielle lost her life on the morning of July 19 in an automobile accident as she traveled to work. This shocking event touched the lives of so many who knew her and loved her for who she was and all that she gave. Danielle was loving, kind, generous and shared a sense of humor that delivered brightness to the days of all that were near her.

The staff and residents of RGH together attended the services for Danielle in Antigo, to honor her life, comfort her family, and in turn be comforted in the sharing of our grief. Danielle will be greatly missed, and never forgotten. Our prayers remain with her and her loved ones…always.

It seems that we often take much in life for granted; we somehow feel that it cannot happen to us or those we love. We somehow neglect to be in touch with our earthly mortality, and that as all life begins, it too must end. July 31^st marks what would have been the 28^th birthday for Danielle, a day we had plans for celebration…but this was not be be…she was taken so abruptly.

An introspective has us consider all that we have and all whom we love…we need to extract joy from all opportunity, cherish each moment, and never fail to say “I love you” to those that are dear. Life is a blessing, it is fragile, and fate not at our discretion.

A wise man once said, “love as if there were no tomorrow, and dance as if nobody were watching.” Let us move forward with vigor and passion in the work that we do…Danielle would have it no other way.

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The contributions of Danielle to her community did not escape the attention of others. Following her untimely death, the Wausau Daily Herald published this article, highlighting her contributions, even in death.

Wed, July 21, 2004
Antigo woman lived to help others
By Jessica Bock
Wausau Daily Herald
jbock@wdhprint.com

It was 27-year old Danielle Cofer-Santiago’s mission to help others, and she did so even at the end of her life.

Cofer-Santiago, a lifelong Antigo resident, was killed Monday in a crash in Langlade County while on her way to work at North Central Health Care in Wausau, where she was a case manager for the developmentally disabled. Her westbound car was struck head-on by a van traveling east on Highway Y in the town of Ackley, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The tissue from the body of Cofer-Santiago, an organ donor, could help more than 60 people, doctors told her family. They found matches, some to children, for tissue from her heart valves and cornea, said her mother, Holly Cofer. It’s just what she would have wanted, Cofer said.

After graduating from Antigo High School in 1994, Cofer-Santiago wanted to work with children and became interested in teaching and day care. She later studied criminal justice at Northcentral Technical College. She challenged herself and move from doing laundry at the health care center to working as a case manager. She also worked at the Reynolds Group Home in Wausau.

While getting her degree, she worked full-time and took four to six hours of classes at night, Cofer said.

The last few years were good for Cofer-Santiago. In June 2002, she and Alex Santiago eloped to Las Vegas and were married. In 2003, she received a bachelor’s degree in human services and gave birth to a baby boy, Diego. He will be 1 in August. She and her husband recently had purchased a home.

”She worked so hard for everything she had,” Holly Cofer said. “She loved her family dearly.” At North Central Health Care, Cofer-Santiago worked hard to give her clients the best opportunities to live life to the fullest, co-workers say. Her sense of humor was contagious and made it easy to work through the problems of the day.

Services are at 10:30 a.m., Friday at Strasser Roller Funeral Home in Antigo. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. until time of services on Friday.
Director’s Thoughts
            The world looking through a kaleidoscope seems to be how things frequently are displayed. Just as one looks for a moment, then it is turned, and the whole picture changes.


            I had the awesome opportunity to go to San Francisco for a great conference with the Northwoods Alliance for Children group. It has been 20 years since I’ve been to the coast, so I spent extra days spending time with the locals, catching a Nextel race in Sonoma, and enjoying many beaches along he coast with my wife and oldest son. To travel, and to fly, always reminds you of how big the world is, and how small you can be, but it also reminds you how similar we, and our community, are to the rest of the nation.      Turn…

            As many of you have been aware, MYS has grown rapidly in the last several years, and continues to acquire new employees. As director, I have enjoyed the growth, as well as the challenges of trying to maintain a close group atmosphere, while adapting to dealing with many more people and issues that they bring. Our goals of quality, growth through relationship, value of service, and design of a community imbedded program continue to be our primary focus.    Turn…

            Grand Place, our 3^rd Adult Family Home has just been licensed. Woo Hoo! We now are seeking our next two young adults for placement. Grand Place is located at 1209 Grand Ave. in Wausau.   Turn…

            Do we have any Race Fans? If so, we have had quite a good year racing thus far. I have tallied 6 wins so far, including 2 at Marshfield Super Speedway and 4 at Statepark Speedway. Lieutenant Bill Kolb of WPD has also picked up a couple wins at Statepark, including a feature win. We are going to try some dirt track racing at Monster Hall near Marshfield. We’ll let you know how we do.        Turn…

            As the summer peaks, you’ll frequently find me on the lake participating in wet sports that perhaps can be a bit taxing to old bodies, but as you all remind me, I’m not getting any younger, and I’ve got a lot of fun to pack in yet.     Turn…

            We are celebrating a 70^th Birthday at MYS! Carol Gruening, one of our dedicated staff at RGH, is entering her 8^th decade. Carol has alwys been an inspiration to all of us at MYS with her spirit, energy, and life experiences. She has had her own group home, her own restaurant, many friends, many flowers, 6 years with MYS, and an attitude that doesn’t quite. She makes the pink energizer bunny look lazy! Happy Birthday Carol!       Turn…

            On the morning of July 19^th, we lost a friend, a mother, a wife, a dedicated employee, and simply an awesome person. We all lost Danielle Santiago to a car accident. Danielle was associated with MYS for about 7 years. Danielle, we are grateful that you touched our lives.     Turn…

            Today I hug my wife, my children, and my friends…I go to work and do my best to make this world the best it can be, and have some fun doing it.            Turn…
                                                                                    Doug Adams MS
The month of July was a typically event filled month at Reynolds Group Home. The guys did their annual community service for the Wausau Area Jaycees by helping in cleanup of the fairgrounds and grandstand at Marathon Park, following the July 4^th Celebration. In return they got to enjoy some of the rides as well as the fireworks.

The guys have also been getting in a lot of fishing this month and having a little luck her and there. A day trip to Clear Lake took place on July 15. The boys had a great time enjoying the still cool water and a super cookout dinner.

Summer school wound down successfully for the guys and ended on July 23^rd. August will surely fly by with a new school year already on the horizon. Before that happens though, we’re planning a 3 day camping trip to the Mondeaux Dam Flowage in the Chequamegon National Forest for the weekend of August 13. Also, the Wisconsin Valley Fair is next week, and we’re hoping the guys will get to enjoy that for a day or two.

And the accomplishments never end…Wes will very soon be moving out into his own apartment, one he located only this past week. We are focused on helping him equip himself for independent living, and wish him well.
Cha has been doing quite well on his job and has been given more hours.
Thao is celebrating the family dog having a litter of puppies, and he is directly involved in taking care of them.
Calvin just completed summer camp at Rainbow’s End. He had a great time and made several new friends.
We ask that everyone keep Derick in their thoughts. He and his mom were involved in a car accident recently. While they escaped injury, their car is in need of repair.

It’s hard to believe, but next month at this time we’ll be reporting on the return to another school year. All of us are anxious to become acquainted with the new Wausau East High School! Most of our guys will be in attendance there. The new location will provide some new challenges for us. We’ve become accustomed to having the school right down the street.
Our Young Adult Homes have been active this month as well. The big news is that our license for Grand Place is now in place, and we’re ready to provide a home for two more residents. Doug or Sue would be happy to hear from social workers and case managers about planning to fill those rooms!

The men at Hamilton House have been enjoying the fruits of their labors. You may recall that we told you of their gardening efforts. They are now harvesting radishes, lettuce, a hot pepper, and soon tomatoes. Their gardening prowess has proven successful, and they are enjoying the fresh vegetables. In addition to their gardening, the guys have also worked hard this month at keeping their home looking good with the completion of repainting of both decks and maintaining the yard. Great work guys!

You may recall that some months back I told you of Mike S’s friend the house spider. After seeing her into the stage of hibernation he released her into the wild at Barker-Stewart Island. Since then he’s been on the lookout for a new friend…

            Mike S and Stephany were outside painting when all of the sudden Mike spotted 2 spiders. We named the spiders Hank and Lilly. Lilly is a house spider that is currently living on the top of the right post on the front porch. We are unsure of what kind of spider Hank is. Hank lives next door to Lilly above the post on the left. We are not sure yet if they are dating or even friends. Mike spent about 45 minutes trying to catch moths to feed to our new porch friends, but the moths were too big for their webs. Mike will try again to help our friends get food when there webs get bigger.
                                             Stephany Ramsey and Mike Smith

Mike’s interest in spiders and other creatures of nature is still as keen as ever. I’m sure he will keep us abreast of any developments between Hank and Lilly…

            What started out as a typically exciting and action filled month took a tragic turn on July 19^th. We’re told that time heals all…I sure hope so. We already miss Danielle tremendously. We can only imagine the pain her family is suffering. Hopefully they will find some solace in the shared memories of a very special young woman who gave so unselfishly of herself to others. Her actions in death as an organ donor only serve to confirm what we already knew of Danielle. She will be loved and fondly remembered, long after the pain of July 19 fades into time…

            other high school graduation this month, Prospect

Watch “Child and Family Focus”
with Doug Adams and Dr. John Kolhoven
every Tuesday at 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM, and Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
Local Public Access Television Channel 3

If you have any questions or program requests, feel free to contact Doug at 715842-3240 or dadams@marathonyouthservices.org. We are always interested in your thoughts or comments.

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